Arrested. Wrongfully charged with robbery and sexual assault. Jimmie C. Gardner was 22 years old when he was convicted and sentenced to 110 years in the West Virginia Prison System. 

An expert witness in Gardner’s trial, the West Virginia State Trooper and the Chief Serologist for the Division of Public Safety, knowingly gave false testimony during the trial. It wasn’t until 2016 – 27 years later – that Gardner was released. Almost five years later, after spending almost three decades in prison, Gardner has started anew at Chapman University and after becoming a social activist and criminal rights advocate.

Gardner is currently a first-year communication studies major at Chapman, where he shared his story in a dialogue series Sept. 29.

“A lot of the men (I met) in prison were illiterate or had economic barriers,” Gardner said. “They didn’t have the same support I had. My family stayed with me every step of the way, (helping) with legal bills and attaining attorneys.”

Gardner worked tirelessly to build a legal case for exoneration, utilizing what resources were made accessible to inmates. The federal courts reviewed Gardner’s case and Gardner was released from custody, returning home April 1, 2016.

“I gained relief in an unjust system, but I didn’t beat it,” Gardner said. “I had my life taken from me.”

Dean of the Fowler School of Law Matt Parlow and Dean of Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Jennifer Keene helped moderate the event, which drew in over 150 students eager to learn about the inequities within the criminal justice system. Keene explained that holding these conversations and dialogues was the first step to shifting perspectives.

As the second Chapman dialogue event of the semester, Parlow said he was pleased with the virtual experience. The Chapman lecture series aims to engage viewers with conversations about contemporary issues relevant to law and society.

The Q&A chat was filled with various questions and comments thanking Gardner for sharing his story. One student, senior physics major Gwyneth Casey asked Gardner how he had maintained his religious faith during difficult times. Casey told The Panther she was moved when Gardner shared a story about a butterfly landing on him for two hours, before flying over the prison’s fence.

“It was a sign from his faith, saying that it was his time to be free,” Casey said. 

Victoria Mas, a junior sociology major, felt the personal story was evidence of a failed judicial system and that, despite such difficult circumstances, Gardner spoke in an inspiring and uplifting manner.

“The most important thing I took away from (the event) is what undergraduate students can do to make a difference right now,” Mas said. “(Gardner) said it all starts with a conversation, showing up and telling your story or listening to others.”

Gardner began testifying in November 2016 at institutions like colleges, high schools, middle schools, prisons, churches and a variety of organizations. Gardner’s love for public speaking shaped his decision to continue pursuing his education at Chapman.

“Chapman is ahead of the curve,” Gardner said. “I believe in the spirit of Chapman. I’m taking five classes right now and I’ve probably attended eight different events by the end of this week, and I love it. I’m here to be challenged.”

Upon graduating, Gardner hopes to teach classes about emotional intelligence and how to stay composed during the most adverse situations.

“I learn every opportunity that I speak, and I love speaking to young adults,” he said. “The young people of today are undoubtedly going to be the leaders of tomorrow. It gives me great pleasure to share my testimony and have them learn from me, as I learn (from them).”